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My Houzz: An Animal Lover's Texas Sanctuary
Dogs, cats and horses enjoy an idyllic temporary refuge here, but the eco-minded home has a permanent place in its owner's heart
Kailey graduated from world-renowned Brooks Institute of Photography with a BA in Professional Photography. She specializes in Architectural, Food, Automotive and Portrait Photography.
Kailey graduated from world-renowned Brooks Institute of Photography with... More »
This Texas sanctuary for rescued animals is also Margaret Hoffman's countryside haven. Eighteen Oaks Sanctuary — named for the 18 trees scattered throughout the 28-acre property — is made up of a kennel and an attached home, both designed to blend into the stunning landscape. "I wanted it to fit into the surroundings and have little environmental impact on the land around it," says Hoffman.
Nick Mehl Architects worked with her to design an eco- and animal-friendly home with a stunning view. A screened-in porch, a stunning collection of art and a modern aesthetic combine beautifully in this stylish, serene house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Margaret Hoffman, her 3 dogs and a variety of foster animals, including 4 horses
Location: Jonah, Texas (just north of Austin)
Size: 1,500 square feet (main house), 1,300 square feet (screened-in pool), 800 square feet (kennel); 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
Nick Mehl Architects worked with her to design an eco- and animal-friendly home with a stunning view. A screened-in porch, a stunning collection of art and a modern aesthetic combine beautifully in this stylish, serene house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Margaret Hoffman, her 3 dogs and a variety of foster animals, including 4 horses
Location: Jonah, Texas (just north of Austin)
Size: 1,500 square feet (main house), 1,300 square feet (screened-in pool), 800 square feet (kennel); 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
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Not many homeowners can place valuable art in their pool area and not be concerned about theft — but that's one of the many advantages of having a screened-in pool. "I love that the pool stays cleaner longer with no leaves falling into it and no pesky Texas bugs," says Hoffman. "Also, I don't have to be as vigilant about applying sunscreen."
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| The pool is purified by ionized oxygen — no chlorine or salt. The oxygen is not harmful to the skin or the environment; it's like swimming in bottled water. Pool: Davinci Pools, designed by Frank Matusek; screen: designed by Nick Mehl |
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| Concrete floors with a clear sealant add to the kitchen's simple aesthetic. Horizontal windows up high near the 10-foot ceilings and low down bathe the room in natural light. Bar stools: Collectic Home |
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| The living room is architect Nick Mehl's favorite area because of the gorgeous natural light pouring in. Hoffman bought the "Blue Skies" neon sign at an auction hosted by musician Willie Nelson. "My late husband, Jace, and I chaired the annual fundraising event for the Corpus Christi Art Museum," she says. "The theme was Blue Skies and Black Ties, and we had the neon sign made for the event." Hoffman and her husband made it a habit to travel west often, because they loved the open skies. "That inspired us to paint the ceilings of our house sky blue, so it seemed like that sign was meant for us. It's been part of my homes ever since." |
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| A one-story home is a common choice for homeowners over age 60, but a second-story view of her property was essential to Hoffmann. She plans to stay at her new sanctuary, so an elevator designed by Symmetry Elevators was a practical design solution. |
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| The master bedroom is an airy retreat with a great view. A white modern dog bed from Design Within Reach lies at the foot of Hoffman's bed. The watercolor above the bed is by Pat Deadman, a Corpus Christi, Texas, artist. |
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| The exterior features a cement facade and cedar paneling, plus solar panels on top of the enclosed pool. Rainwater barrels gather water for use throughout the home. The wood siding was designed using a rain-screen technique. "The wood siding is pulled off the house with 1-by-2 furring strips so air can flow behind the siding," Mehl explains. "This helps to dry out the wood when it gets wet and ventilates the space behind the siding to help insulate the building." |
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| The custom-built matching kennel is equipped with six matching indoor-outdoor dog runs, a kitty playroom and a dog-accessible shower. Mehl appreciated the wide expanse of land that his team had to work with because they had the freedom to place the structures — including the main house and the kennel — anywhere they pleased. "I find the simplicity of the home to be calming," Hoffman says. "The lines and features of the house are beautiful but not distracting, so it's a perfect venue for enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings." |
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| The air-conditioned kennel keeps the animals cool in the Texas heat while Hoffman works to find them permanent homes. Concrete floors make for easy cleanup. Houzz call: Do you have a modern, pet-friendly home? Share it with us! |
Ideabook published on Aug. 1, 2012.
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In March we moved from the Bavarian countryside back to a big city. No. 1 requirement for our new house was a safe outdoor area for our cat, a former stray. We focussed on atrium bungalows and managed to buy one, although they are extremely rare. The unescapable garden is small (< 2,000 sq.ft.), but a safe haven within all the bustle. Visiting birds and squirrels provide the necessary dose of thrills for the cat. Thankfully, no casualties so far.
Love the dog kennel set up which is designed for summer heat. And hope all the dogs find great homes.
Secondly aren't you even slightly concerned the effect your numerous negative comments are having on your business? All I see from you (on every comment you've ever made) are catty insults. Boring! Last thing I'd do is hire someone with such limited vision.
Amazing home and clearly an amazing owner with a big heart.
This is a true inspiration for all animals lovers, the choice of materials to keep
the place easier to clean very smart. That look a paradise for both
owners and animals. If only more people where like this..........
As far as hard flooring goes, personally, I would prefer a laminate timber floor over a 'real' timber floor as it stands up to wet cleaning better. I have heard it is not advisable to use steam mops on timber but on laminate they are a dream and very quick to use. You can also add disinfectant to kill any germs generally or in the event of accidents. I have also had lino and that was as easy as laminate. Tiles would also be just as durable.
With regular nail clipping, I can't see dogs being any different to cats, but a dog owner might have other input. Hope that helps.
Thank you!
Bear in mind pets have fur,urine and sometimes solid waste issues so a surface needs to be able to be cleaned well for sanitation issues as well as comfort for the bottom of the pets feet. The reason kennels have polished cement is because its easy to clean and can have in floor heat in cold climates while being cool in hot weather. Most also have an area with a washable all weather carpet so the animal has a place to lay down in comfort.
If you want a stained concrete look, or a more perfect looking floor, then a very thin film of concrete can be poured over the subfloor and then sealed. Any of this work really isn't a DIY project, but you can find someone in your area if you search for concrete flooring. Square foot price depends on how much needs to be done, but expect it to be comparable to hardwood flooring (anywhere from $5-10/ft).
Care is very easy - once sealed it can be mopped regularly and spills are easy to clean up. But like with tile, anything breakable that falls is of course shattered.
I think it would be a perfect application for a basement, although in winter (if you are in the north) it will be a bit chilly. If that's a concern, you could do a heated floor too. The heating components would be lain over the existing subfloor and then a new layer of concrete poured over that. I've never looked into the costs of that, but you can probably search for heated floor elements to get an idea of the sq ft costs.